About the event

The gathering is designed for visionary CEOs and their leadership teams, executives and entrepreneurs, the consultants and coaches who serve and support them, business investors and owners, discerning university students, aspiring leaders and anyone else interested in learning more about Conscious Leadership.

Experienced changemakers share their wisdom

During two inspiring days, you will connect with international and Norwegian thought leaders, wisdom teachers, authors and pioneers from science, business, education, culture and arts.

New changemakers in leadership share their experience from renowned organizations such as: Google, SAP, MIT, BI, Gross National Happiness Center and Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

An extraordinary two-day gathering

Wisdom Oslo: Conscious Leadership is more than an ordinary conference. It’s an experience that also includes practice sessions, meditations, the ancient Martial Art Taijiquan, in addition to music and art exhibitions. All events take place in and around the SALT Arena at Bjørvika.

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LOCATION

Oslo: The SALT Art Pavilions

The SALT Arena is currently located in Bjørvika, only 5 minutes walk from the Oslo Central Station. The many spectacular wooden constructions make SALT Arena a unique venue for cultural events, reflection and nightlife.

The broad program includes concerts, art projects, talks and panel discussions. For more information, visit www.salted.no

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PARTNERS

RETREAT

Nature Retreat at the One World Institute at Hornsjø

October 22nd – 25th

Join us at Hornsjø, a couple of hours north Oslo, in quintessential Norwegian surroundings, for a post-conference nature retreat.

The Retreat is organized in partnership with Authenticore and the One World Institute, and it will represent an occasion to further reflect on the Conference, together with other participants, while focusing on nature walks, mindful activities and tuning into the local nature and energy.

Bianka believes that companies need to connect among each other and share experience. Strong networks und collective wisdom build power which our beautiful world needs. She sees Wisdom Together as the perfect platform to spread the network on a wider, global scale.

Bianka’s background is the automotive industry, where she was an sales representative for cars in Germany and Australia. By traveling around Europe, South Africa and Australia she found her passion for observing different cultures and organizations. She learned to understand our world as a whole and dependable system.

In her professional career Bianka experienced different companies – from smaller once to large global organizations such as BMW, Daimler, Ernst & Young or Airbus in fields like Retail, Marketing and HR. Even so this companies are famous and successful, she experienced herself and others struggling with their jobs because of missing purpose.

This is why she changed direction and aims to consult companies by adapting the way working places look like and establish, meaningful, new work conditions, allowing natural and authentic personal development for everyone, which bring out the best in each and everyone involved.

Bianka HUSMANN

Bianka believes that companies need to connect among each other and share experience. Strong networks und collective wisdom build power which our beautiful world needs. She sees Wisdom Together as the perfect platform to spread the network on a wider, global scale.

Bianka’s background is the automotive industry, where she was an sales representative for cars in Germany and Australia. By traveling around Europe, South Africa and Australia she found her passion for observing different cultures and organizations. She learned to understand our world as a whole and dependable system.

In her professional career Bianka experienced different companies – from smaller once to large global organizations such as BMW, Daimler, Ernst & Young or Airbus in fields like Retail, Marketing and HR. Even so this companies are famous and successful, she experienced herself and others struggling with their jobs because of missing purpose.

This is why she changed direction and aims to consult companies by adapting the way working places look like and establish, meaningful, new work conditions, allowing natural and authentic personal development for everyone, which bring out the best in each and everyone involved.

Yuko TOLLE

Coach and healer with Japanese and German roots, working as alternative medical practitioner in southern Germany near Munich. After a career in intercultural relations and art management, she felt humanity’s urgent need for true healing. Following this inner calling, she went through intense studies of medicine, European alternative healing methods like Homeopathy, plant essences, Biophotons, diverse frequency healing methods like bio resonance, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and other energetic methods. She developed her own unique way to open her clients for their awakening to self-empowerment and a healthy life. She also gives workshops on awareness and consciousness, developing by experience a new perception from the inner core, connecting to inner wisdom and unfolding our creative potential in alignment to the greater meaning. For her this brings back liveliness, true power and joy to the Earth and humanity.

Bjørn Kj. Haugland

Bjørn Kjærand Haugland is Executive Vice President and the Chief Sustainability Officer in DNV GL Group. In his capacity as CSO for DNV GL group he oversees the groups sustainability performance and drives company-wide sustainability initiatives. Haugland has extensive experience assisting multinational companies in areas such as sustainability, climate change and innovation.

Haugland is board member in StormGeo, the University of Bergen, WWF, Germanischer Lloyd SE, Global Maritime Knowledge Hub and in SUSTAINIA. He is responsible for the Global Opportunity Report and the Global Opportunity Explorer, a joint initiative together with UN Global Compact and Sustainia.

Haugland started his career in DNV in 1991 and has held various management positions in Norway and abroad. He worked in Korea in the period 1995 to 1997. From 2004 to 2008 he was the Country Chair and responsible for DNV’s operation in Greater China.

Haugland has a M.Sc. in Naval Architecture – Marine Structures and Hydrodynamics – from The Norwegian Institute of Technology in Trondheim and he attended the “Strategic International Leadership” programme at International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

He is recognized in the global debate on sustainability and technology and he has his own blog on the Huffington Post and he is regularly writing articles for Recharge, Teknisk Ukeblad and Sysla Maritime and on DNV GL’s own blog sites.

Loveleen Rihel Brenna

Loveleen Rihel Brenna is the managing director of Seema AS. She has been working with diversity and inclusion issues since 1995. Brenna was born in India and moved to Norway whens she was five years old. She experienced first-hand how difficult it could be to enter the Norwegian or Western societies with a different background, in addition to being a woman. While some would take the easy way out, Loveleen took on the challenge and has been the leader of the “National Parents’ Committee for Primary and Secondary School” for over 8 years. She has also been leading the Women’s panel and worked with gender issues as well as social services.

About Seema:

Seema was established in 2012. A consultancy firm and a social enterprise, Seema works with numerous Norwegian companies and the government to encourage diversity in the work place. Seema’s work is based on three perspectives: why diversity is important; how to manage diversity; and how to meet a diverse audience. It is all about recruiting the best people, which gives access to new markets and increases profitability alongside improving company’s reputation. Seema does this through talent development schemes for employees, management training and mentoring. Seema helps create visible female role models for the future of Norwegian businesses. We need to understand the value of diversity in order to bring about change.

Anne Beate Hovind

Anne Beate Hovind is Project Director of Bjørvika Utvikling’s art programme for public space with two internationally know art works: Futurellibrary.no by Scottish artist Katie Paterson and flatbreadsociety.net by FutureFarmers. She is the Chair of the Future Library Trust. She has also been responsible for artworks in other public spaces such as Oslo airport, Bergen airport and Akershus university hospital.

Over the past 15 years, Hovind has worked at the interface of art, culture and business. Anne Beate has lengthy experience working with different stakeholders towards the shared vision of realizing complex and original projects. This has included developing art in public spaces, developing public services, top management in building a new and modern hospital, city planning, placemaking and passenger orientated development for Oslo airport.

She has also had a leading role as an art and culture entrepreneur, for example as co-owner of the theatre ship Innvik for ten years and will share her view of the interlink between conscious leadership and art.

Peter Matthies

Peter Matthies, founder of the Conscious Business Institute, is an organizational analyst, consultant and venture capitalist.

Prior to founding the Conscious Business Institute, Peter was a Principal at Apax Partners & Co., one of the world’s largest Venture Capital and Private Equity firms with more than US$ 20 billion under management. He also served as Investment Manager at b-business partners, a US$ 800 million technology venture capital firm backed by blue chip corporate investors.

Peter has worked in the IT and financial market for 18 years and started his career at Andersen Consulting in Germany. He co-founded a systems integration and IT-consulting company. After selling his share, Peter worked as an IT analyst and US-correspondent in California. He founded an accelerator in Silicon Valley, focusing on financing and growing German and American IT start-up businesses. Peter currently serves as a global advisor and German Chair of the Climate Prosperity Alliance.

Trond Riiber Knudsen is Founder and CEO of TRK Group, an Oslo-based investment and advisory firm focused on active ownership and advisory within disruptive technologies, digital service transformation and new African growth markets. Trond was previously a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Co.

David Rothenberg

Musician and philosopher David Rothenberg wrote Why Birds Sing, Bug Music, Survival of the Beautiful and many other books ,published in at least eleven languages. He has 16 CDs out, including One Dark Night I Left My Silent House which came out on ECM, and most recently Berlin Bülbul and Cool Spring. He has performed or recorded with Peter Gabriel, Pauline Oliveros, Ray Phiri and Suzanne Vega. Rothenberg began his career working with Arne Naess in Oslo in the 1980s, who told him he was “too deep into philosophy to escape.” Today he is Distinguished Professor of philosophy and music at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Megatrends are at the top of the hour. Frank Astor has spent more than 35 years regaling audiences with his versatile and compelling stage presence. As a veteran entertainer, he has what it takes to deliver such complex content in a convincing, enjoyable and humorous way.

Frank Astor has devoted himself to the highly topical themes „Trends of the Future“ and „Digital Transformation“ for his latest show and worked together with Germany’s leading trend agencies and future researchers. The result? A superlative event program full of surprises “Robo Sapiens – Is there a life between 0 and 1?”. Press, professionals and viewers are thrilled!

Tilo RÖßLER

Tilo Rößler is a lawyer and a medical doctor and will speak about the development of human beings in the age of digitalization – a critical reflection for the health perspective.

Natalie Zeituny

Author, speaker, coach, researcher of life, founder NZconsulting and Conscious Business Center in San Fransisco. Natalie has over 25 years experience in business strategy and information architecture.

In 2002 she founded NZConsulting advising clients such as Apple, Yahoo, Brocade, Netapp and UCSF.
In 2006 she founded the Conscious Business Center.

In 2007 published “The Ladder of Business Intelligence” and,

In 2009 published ” The Art & Technology of Conscious Business Transformation.

She is trained as an Energy, Consciousness and Mindfulness consultant to corporations, the last 10 years she guided hundreds of private clients, business executives and groups at companies such Yahoo, Apple, SalesForce, Morgan Stanley and Riverbed in California.BSc in Industrial Engineering and Information Technology from the Technion in Israel and Masters studies in Business Administration from Ben Gurion, she is currently the strategic advisor and partner in designing large scale programs and partnerships in the Conscious Business domain.http://nataliezeituny.comhttp://www.consciousbusinesscenter.com

Michael de Vibe

Michael de Vibe’s is educated as a medical doctor and family therapist. He is a senior advisor at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, working on quality in public healthcare.

Michael has developed and researched methods of awareness training – Mindfulness – and he has practised and teached in this field for many years. In 2014 completed his PhD in awareness training for medicine and psychology students.

Pamela Hiley

Pamela Hiley is the founder and Director of the Norwegian Taiji Center (NTS), which she established in 1983. Originally from Wales, with a Bachelor degree in Human Movement Studies, she was the first professional Taiji Master in Norway and is considered one of Europe’s most experienced Taijiquan Masters. Her students and clients are from all sectors, including private businesses and organizations, educational and health institutions, the government and diplomatic sectors.

Through her practice, Pamela has cooperated with many Norwegian and global organizations with Deep Dialogue, building bridges from the spiritual to daily life. Seated in deep transformative processes changing what was into what is with a large and integrative network.

She has also created many ground breaking projects. In 2001, she founded the “Peace Point Foundation” and participated in the Global Peace Initiative of Woman Religious and Spiritual Leaders UN conference in Geneva. In 2003, she created “The Peace Conference for the Middle East” at the Nobel Peace Institute in Oslo. And In 2004, she was welcomed back to the Nobel Institute to establish “The Business Council for Peace”. Seeing the need to reinforce the importance of developing awareness among the youth, in 2006, Pamela instituted “The Youth Council for Peace” and “MAP” (Martial Arts for Peace).

Pamela has received recognition, both nationally and internationally for her contributions. She was given the title of “Ambassador for Peace” from the Universal Peace Federation and in 2006 elected to “The Top 10 International Men and Women” of Norway.

Per Espen Stoknes

Senior lecturer at BI Norwegian School of Management. Per Espen is educated as a psychologist at the University of Oslo, and has also studied organizational theory, philosophy and mythology. He has worked both as a clinical psychologist and organizational psychologist. Works now with scenario based strategy for organisations and teach a two-year ExA Coaching program at NIKUT – ExA Institute of Norway. He has published three books in Norwegian. Published Money and Soul, the psychology of money and the transformation of capitalism.

His main research areas are climate and environmental strategies, economic psychology, energy systems.

Ove Jakobsen

Professor Ecological Economies, at Center for Ecological Economy and Ethics at the School of Economics in Bodø – Handelshøgskolen i Bodø. He is dr.oecon. from the Norwegian School of Economics, Norges Handelshøyskole.

And he has a MD in Philosophy from the University in Bergen. His new book “Transformative Ecological Economies” is published this spring.

Otto Scharmer

Otto Scharmer is the founding chair of the MIT IDEAS Program, that takes leaders from civil society, government and business from Indonesia and China on a nine month action learning journey in order to co-create profound social innovation in their communities.

With the German government and the Gross National Happiness Centre, a non-governmental organization in Bhutan, he co-founded the Global Well-being and Gross National Happiness Lab, which brings together innovative thinkers from developing and industrialized countries to prototype new ways of measuring well-being and social progress. He has worked with governments in Africa, Asia and Europe and led leadership and innovation programs at corporations such as Alibaba, Daimler, Eileen Fisher, Fujitsu, Google, Natura and PriceWaterhouse.

He is the co-author of “Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego-system to Eco-system Economies.” Through MITx and edX.org he currently creates the U-Lab, a new type of social entrepreneurship MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that for the first time blends a MOOC with a social technology of co-sensing and co-creating emerging futures. Scharmer holds a Ph.D. in economics and management from Witten-Herdecke University in Germany. In 2015 he received the Jamieson Prize for Excellence in Teaching at MIT.

Andreas MASCHA

Andreas Mascha is a management consultant, coach, publisher and scientific researcher. Primary building on the fundamental work of the physician and founder of Logotherapy Viktor E. Frankl, Andreas Mascha developed a purpose oriented leadership training in the context of a hyper modern working world of the 21st century as a solution to the pressing problems in the economy and society. In his workshop Andreas is offering an in depth understanding of the interconnection between the cosmic creativity and intuition.

Gabriele KOWALSI

Gabriele Kowalski is Managing Director of DELTA GmbH, Institute for Change Management and Personality Development, as well as initiator and director of the Avalon Earth Project.
Key aspects of her work are management trainings, change consulting and corporate development. Gabriele leads mentoring programmes and holds lectures at various universities like the U.T.D. Business School, USA and others.

Tito WONDOLLEK

A visionary and creative professional for sustainable marketing, Tilo Wondollek founded the entrepreneurial community Unternehmer Meines Lebens (entrepreneur of my life) in 2011. After more than 20 years of international communication experience, he uses intuitive visualization techniques to make the heart beat of companies visible. At the conference, he will let you experience live the power of collective intuition and the resulting creativity.

Thakur S Powdyel

Currently the President of the Royal Thimphu College, Thakur S Powdyel is an educator by choice, conviction and passion. He served as Bhutan’s Minister of Education from 2008 through 2013. As a committed advocate of GNH and Green Schools, he meditates on themes of holistic development, institutional integrity, national self-respect, and ethical literacy.

His published works include As I Am, So Is My Nation, Right of Vision & Occasional Views, and My Green School, now available in Spanish, Catalan and Vietnamese, and is the principal author of The Light of My Life.

Powdyel is the recipient of the International Gusi Peace Prize for Life-time Contribution to Education (2011), the Global Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education (2012) and the Distinguished Service Award (2016)

Veit LINDAU

Veit Lindau is a well-known coach, speaker and author in the German speaking countries. He is an expert in individual self-fulfilment and mindfulness. Veit is offering workshops, retreats as state of the art coaching offerings via the digital platform, humantrust, with currently 8300 subscribers. Veits vision is to bring his offerings to a broader community in other countries. At Wisdom Together Munich, Veit will speak about “Intuition and the Intelligenz of the Field – the Power of the Un-known”.

Helmut LIND

Helmut Lind, the CEO of the largest cooperative banks in Bavaria/Germany is a brilliant example of conscious leadership. Serving the public weal instead of profit maximization is his leading concept and brought him large media attention in Germany. Helmut will speak about the correlation between intuition and leadership.

Dr. Karolien NOTEBAERT

Karolien Notebaert translates the most recent findings from neuroscience to leadership development trainings, impulse speeches and retreats. Karolien uses her expertise in the domain of applied neurosciences to give powerful and inspiring insights into daily behaviour and decision making, with the aim to maximize the true potential of the participants and increase their agility in a world where change is the only constant. She obtained a PhD in Neuroscience and the University of Leuven, Belgium and a Master in Economics. She is author of the Bestseller ‘Wie das Gehirn Spitzenleistung bringt’, published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Karolien gives insight into how intuition and reason drive the decisions in our brain and how mindfulness can lead to a healthy peak performance.

Gerfried STOCKER

Gerfried Stocker is a media artist and telecommunications engineer. In 1991, he founded x-space, a team formed to carry out interdisciplinary projects, which went on to produce numerous installations and performances featuring elements of interaction, robotics and telecommunications. Since 1995, Gerfried Stocker has been artistic director of Ars Electronica. In 1995-96, he headed the crew of artists and technicians that developed the Ars Electronica Center’s pioneering new exhibition strategies and set up the facility’s in-house R&D department, the Ars Electronica Futurelab. he will speak about the correlation between Intuition, Art and Technology.

Carmen THOMAS

Between 1974 and 1994 Carmen Thomas invented as chief editor and presenter with “WDR Hallo Ü-Wagen” the first interactive broadcasts on radio. For 20 years she interviewed experts and people from the audience weekly 3 hours live on a weekly base. The topics were chosen by listeners themselves ranging from daily life challenges to taboo subjects. In 1976 she developed the first self-help groups in Germany. The business magazine Forbes named her in 1990 to the 100 most influential women of Germany. Carmen Thomas taught for 13 years at universities and is active as a coach since 1980 for people from business, politics, media and institutions. Since 1998, she directs the 1. Moderation Academy of Media + Economy. Her topic at the conference will be: How intuition can brilliantly advise and guide the daily life.

Abigail EGLE ZILINSKAITE

With a masters degree in Marketing Management from Rotterdam School of Management, Abigail leads a career in digital marketing communications. When joining the Wisdom Stockholm team she brought experience from working at LinkedIn, TechTarget and Milk, a creative advertising agency. Abigail gives a voice to the Wisdom Stockholm conference through meaningful content and engagement with users and speakers.

Stephan R. MEIER

Stephan R. Meier lived for many years in several countries across four continents working as an executive hotel manager. While doing so, he wrote a book about his father, who was leading in the 70th the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany and another book about the top terrorist Carlos. NOW is Stephan first fiction thriller where he describes a world where artificial intelligence has taking over the world – a topic with high relevance for all of us.

Timothy PHILLIPS

Timothy Phillipshas launched several innovative organizations in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors that address critical and emerging global issues. In 1992, he co-founded Beyond Conflict, a pioneering and widely respected conflict resolution and reconciliation initiative that has made important contributions to the consolidation of peace and democracy around the world. Beyond Conflict brings together leaders from a broad spectrum of countries to share firsthand experience in ending conflict, building civil society and fostering peaceful coexistence and has worked in countries and regions that have included Northern Ireland, South Africa, the Balkans, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Beyond Conflict has achieved international recognition for its significant contributions to the Northern Ireland peace process, national reconciliation in El Salvador and Nicaragua, the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, and its catalytic role in helping launch the field of transitional justice.

Lorenzo FIORAMONTI

Lorenzo Fioramonti is Professor of Political Economy at the University of Pretoria and the founding director of GovInn (the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation). He is also Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social Investment of the University of Heidelberg and at the Hertie School of Governance, Germany, and Associate Fellow at UNU-CRIS (the United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies). Professor Fioramonti is the author of 9 books, including the bestselling Gross Domestic Problem: The Politics Behind the World’s Most Powerful Number. According to the Hedgehog Review, Gross Domestic Problemis one three most influential books on the gross domestic product published in the 21st century. His research interests range from the social dimension of regional governance to EU studies, civil society, migration and human development, the governance of the commons and alternative political economies.

Arawana HAYASHI

Arawana Hayashi’s pioneering work as a choreographer, performer and educator is deeply sourced in collaborative improvisation. She currently heads the creation of Social Presencing Theater (SPT) for the Presencing Institute. Working with Otto Scharmer and colleagues at the Presencing Institute, she brings her background in the arts, meditation and social justice to creating ‘social presenting’ that makes visible both current reality and emerging future possibilities. Her dance career ranges from directing an interracial street dance company formed by the Boston Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs in the aftermath of the 1968 murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, to being one of the foremost performers of Japanese Court Dance, bugaku, in the US. She has been Co-Director of the Dance Program at Naropa University. Builder, CO: and founder-director of two contemporary dance companies in Cambridge, MA. She continues to perform in a multi-disciplinary performance ensemble, originating out of Naropa University and the ALIA Institute, where she currently teaches in leadership programs.

Angaangaq

Angaangaq is an Eskimo-Kalaallit Elder whose family belongs to the traditional healers of the Far North from Kalaallit Nunaat, Greenland. He is a well known and popular lecturer and keynote speaker at international conferences. He has spoken at the most varied occasions from universities and schools to social work programs and prisons, from medical and scientific symposia to kindergartens, from government organisations like the United Nations to spiritual and religious conferences, from banks to indigenous gatherings. Always there is a transformation, a new understanding, a deeper connection to be gained, be it on environmental issues, indigenous themes or spiritual matters. Through Angaangaq’s work interracial and intercultural harmony is promoted, perceptions shift and environmental awareness is expanded.

Ferose V R

VR Ferose is Senior Vice President and Head of Globalization Service for SAP SE. Before heading Globalization Services, he was the Managing Director of SAP Labs India. At 33, Ferose became one of the youngest Chief Executive of a Global Multi National Corporation (MNC) in India, a post he held for over 5 years. That path to traditional success took an unexpected turn with the birth of their son Vivaan, who they learned was on the Autism spectrum. Ferose had heard of a small group in Denmark that employed autistic children, so he flew out there, learned from them, joined the board — and then decided to hire 4 employees who were on the autism spectrum. Everybody is Good at Something. Ferose’s journey with that mantra didn’t stop with autistic children. While thinking about writing a book on leadership, he kept realizing that his heroes were actually those with disabilities. Not in any PR way, but actually.

Melanie GRIMM

Melanie Grimm is a Holistic Coach, author and a specialist in a holistic heart awareness. She is an expert for targeted communication and professional coaching. Through many years of practice in the service and as a former head of personnel development at group level working directly with people very familiar to her. Since 1995 Melanie is coaching professionals and managers in enterprises and individuals in qualification, development and change processes. Together with her husband she conducts seminars and offers individual coaching. Through extensive research, scientific training and practical research she discovered the seven dimensions of the heart and their link to a matrix. They learned technical skills through sound and qualified training and further education. These include various psychological trainer, coach and consultant training as well as numerous additional qualifications.

Dr. Julia KIM

Dr. Julia Kim is a researcher and global health and sustainable development specialist who has worked extensively in Africa, and Asia with NGOs, academia and UN agencies (UNDP and UNICEF). She is currently a Senior Program Advisor at the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Centre in Bhutan which, in collaboration with international partners (such as the Presencing Institute, the Global Leadership Academy GIZ/BMZ, Schumacher College, and the Mind and Life Institute), aims to bring the principles and practices of Bhutan’s unique development philosophy into action in the spheres of business, education, government, and civil society.

Julia has come to view “development” – whether of countries, institutions or individuals – as a dynamic process which requires balanced attention to both outer/material growth and inner/consciousness development. With the GNH Centre and partners, she co-designs and facilitates leadership development & institutional change programs at the cross-section of New Economics, wellbeing, and sustainable development. These initiatives (such as the Global Wellbeing and GNH Lab, the Right Livelihood Program, and the GNH Masterclass ) deliberately combine intellectual understanding (“Head”) with compassion and mindfulness-based practices (“Heart”) for transformative action (“Hand”) towards a happier and more sustainable world.

Julia is a member of the International Expert Working Group for the New Development Paradigm, (convened by the Government of Bhutan), as well as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada), and the Presencing Institute. She graduated from Cornell University (B.A.) and the University of Manitoba (M.D.), and is a Specialist in Internal Medicine & Community-Oriented Primary Care (Tufts University School of Medicine) as well as Public Health in Developing Countries (MSc. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine).

Nipun MEHTA

The Dance Between Algorithm and Intuition

In times of “big data”, we need filters to manage the onslaught of information. Modern technology, backed by unending ascent of Moore’s law, offers us algorithms. Forgotten in this era is a more ancient technology of the human mind – intuition. Each are rife with its challenges. Just as algorithms are as good as the data we provide it, intuition is as good as the awareness we cultivate. Yet, leading with algorithms mandates an unrelenting pursuit of external growth, and that is now externalizing insurmountable costs for our environment and our social communities. Can we balance that kind of growth with an equivalent pursuit of alternative technologies, that lead with a focus on our own inner transformation?

In this talk, Nipun Mehta will explore this question, in light of his own journey of growing up in the Silicon Valley as an engineer from UC Berkeley and landing up starting ServiceSpace – a movement that works at the intersection of technology, volunteerism and gift economy. As ServiceSpace work has now spread to millions around the globe, its innovative projects lend a unique insight into this dance between the power of Internet and the Inner-net, of algorithm and intuition.

Gary ZUKAV

Gary Zukav for years has conveyed the most complex insights in language all can understand. Over and over, he challenges us to see the depth of our potential in the world…and act on that awareness. In 1979, The Dancing Wu Li Masters book plumbed the depths of quantum physics and relativity, winning The American Book Award for Science. The celebrated #1 New York Times bestselling The Seat of the Soul (1989) led the way to seeing the alignment of the personality and the soul as a fulfillment of life, and captured the imagination of millions. In 2010 Spiritual Partnership revealed the role of substantive relationships in spiritual development. His books have been translated into 32 languages.

Gary Zukav is a Harvard graduate, former Green Beret officer, recipient of the World Business Academy Pathfinder Award; Albert Einstein College of Medicine Einstein Award for Contributions to the Psychosocial Growth of Humanity; Unity Church Light of God Award, member of the Club of Budapest, and co-founder of the Seat of the Soul Foundation.

Belina RAFFY

Belina Raffy is the director of Maffick Ltd & Applied Improvisation and Thrivability thought-leader, Thrivable World Quest co-founder and global captain.
She used to work in London and New York as an Executive for one of the largest global financial institutions, in 13 years, she saw many people struggle with burn-out.
She studied improvisation to find out: 1) how these skills help individuals respond to the unexpected, and navigate ambiguity 2) how it can transform our organizations as a whole. She encourages people to explore what happens when we consciously align our work with how nature and people thrive. She believes that our ability to improvise gives us a choice about how to respond to life’s challenges. Improvisation helps us develop our creative thinking skills in service of a happier life, and play a vital part in our response to our complex, dynamic world. It is her passion to spread these mindsets and practices and support others discover the power of improvisation.

Linda FRANCIS

Linda Francis has been practicing the creation of authentic power since she read The Seat of the Soul in 1989. In 1993 she met Gary Zukav and they created a spiritual partnership.

During this time, she co-authored two New York Times bestsellers with Gary Zukav, The Heart of the Soul: Emotional Awareness and The Mind of the Soul: Responsible Choice. They also co-authored Thoughts from the Heart of the Soul and Self-Empowerment Journal: A Companion to the Mind of the Soul.

Linda Francis is a co-founder of the Seat of the Soul Institute, the premier organization dedicated to assisting individuals in the alignment of the personality with the soul – creating authentic power.

Catharina ROLAND

Catharina Roland studied directing, acting, dramatics, journalism and psychology. She won several awards for her international advertising films and works as a director for theater productions as well as dubbing actor and voice talent for movies, advertising and television.

When her son Moritz was born and the relationship to the father of her son broke down and her seemingly perfect world suddenly fell apart, her spiritual journey took off. Since then she travelled together with her son around the world for her heart project the documentary AWAKE IN THE DREAM to set the jigsaw puzzle of the newest scientific insights and mystic wisdom together and to contribute to the awakening consciousness on our Planet. For her, the solutions are never to be found in the outside, but always in connection with our inherent inner wisdom and by finding and releasing old sabotaging belief systems.

Gopi KALLAYIL

Gopi Kallayil embodies the concept of “living joyously and consciously,” and this includes his role as the Brand Evangelist for Google. He is one of the leading voices encouraging mindfulness in the workplace and among others hugely contributes to Google’s unique culture with his inspiring yoga teaching practice.

Earlier he worked on marketing the Company’s flagship advertising product, AdWords, in the Americas and Asia Pacific. Gopi also led the marketing team for AdSense, Google’s publisher-facing product.

Before joining Google, Gopi was on the management team of two Silicon Valley venture funded startups. While a consultant with McKinsey & Co., he worked on engagements helping the management teams of large corporations improve business performance and maximize revenues. He has also led large Information Technology projects for global corporations in India, China, and the US.

Gopi has a Bachelors degree in electronics engineering a Masters degree in Business Administration. He is an avid yoga practitioner, triathlete, global traveler and Burning Man devotee. He’s an extraordinary public speaker, a semi-finalist in the World Championships of public speaking and a three-time TEDx speaker. Gopi has also spoken at the Renaissance Weekend, The World Peace Festival and Wisdom 2.0. He hosts a TV program on cable and YouTube called Change Makers.

Martin KALUNGU-BANDA

Martin Kalungu-Banda is a Core-Faculty Member of the Presencing Institute, the HSBC Next Generation Development Programme, and the HRH Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference Leaders Programme. He has been visiting faculty for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, the Copenhagen Business School and the Blekinge Institute of Technology. Martin serves as an adviser to the Africa Governance Initiative. Between March 2005 and May 2008, he served as Special Consultant to the President of Zambia. He is the author of the bestseller Leading Like Madiba: Leadership Lessons from Nelson Mandela (2006); It’s How We End That Matters: Leadership Lessons from an African President (2009) and On the Wings of Others: How to Access Life’s Greatest Opportunities (2015). Martin holds professional qualifications in Organisation Development and Coaching; and academic qualifications in Public Affairs, Philosophy, Development Studies and Anthropology.

Vijay PRATHAP

Vijay Prathap a high energy and passionate sales leader with over 10+ years experience in SaaS new business sales and management became the Chief Giver at Bears For Humanity a social commerce company. “We are committed to helping children and women. We manufacture 100% GOTS Certified Organic toys and gifts. Women and at-risk mothers from CALWORKS, California’s welfare to work program hand sew and stuff the teddy bears and animal friends with love. When you buy one, we give one to a child in need of love.”

Alfred TOLLE

Alfred is the Founder and Chairman of Wisdom Together, a non-profit association to foster compassion and wisdom by promoting well being and values for a prosperous and sustainable world for everyone. Previously he joined Google’s EMEA HQ in Dublin, Ireland, in 2011, consulting International companies on their online marketing and digital strategies. Prior to that he was CEO of Lycos in Boston, Vice President of Bertelsmann online in Asia/Japan and Executive Board Member of Daum Communication in Korea.

His experience as an executive manager in these major blue-chip companies, among others, and working across the globe, has fed into his belief that we are truly living within an interconnected society which motivates his desire to bring about positive global change. Furthermore, recognizing the transformational potential of technology in terms of positively impacting people’s lives and their societal well-being, Alfred has instigated a number of projects that support conversations built upon a moral and ethical framework in which technology can be used. Specifically, he initiated several happiness and wellbeing projects within Google and was instrumental in bringing the first Wisdom 2.0 Conference to Europe, which attracted speakers such as Eckhart Tolle & Jon Kabat Zinn.

Furthermore, Alfred has actively supported NGOs with Google technology and data analysis and was involved in Leadership Development towards a sustainable world.

Astrid BRINCK

Astrid Brinck is a contemporary teacher, integrative therapist and medicine woman from Chile. Her work blends the traditional and non-traditional perspectives for human awakening and self mastery. She is also a songwriter, singer and writer.

Astrid has done extensive research for almost twenty years about the wisdom behind the cycles in nature and its relation with the process of maturity of the human heart. Based on this research and experience, Astrid has developed ‘The Circle’, a unique process for self mastery.

Astrid has also done extensive research in various areas of human development, creating a unique and powerful synthesis in her work that integrates Transpersonal Psychology, Sociology, Systemic Theories, Leadership, Aboriginal Wisdom, Wilderness Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dance Therapies, Breathwork, Family Order, Empowering Communication, Nutrition, Rites of Passage, Neuroscience and Meditation.

Prof. Dr. Tom FRITZ

Prof. Dr. Tom Fritz is leading a research group at Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Science working on the topic how music evoked brain plasticity. His motivation comes from the fact that neuroscientifically informed music therapy is on the verge of a break through to novel and highly effective forms of social/medical. A key feature in how this can be achieved is by novel forms of music technology that allow for a newly acquired embodiment of musical actions.

Tom will share his experience and knowledge on Intuition and Neuroscience. Beside his position at the Max Planck Institute Tom is a visiting Professor for Empirical Music Research at the Institute for Psychoacoustics and Electronic Music (IPEM), Ghent University. He holds a degree in biology and chemistry, and a master of fine arts at the Kunsthochschule Berlin in interface design and new media, theoretical thesis on ‘Non intentional creative processes’.

Presencing Institute

The Presencing Institute (PI) is an awareness-based action-research community that creates social technologies, builds capacities, and generates holding spaces for profound societal renewal. This community tries to contribute to shifting the economy from ego to eco, and toward serving the well-being of all.

Presencing or Theory U, says that the quality of the results that a system creates is a function of the awareness from which the people in that system operate. The findings have been published in the books Theory U (by Otto Scharmer) and Presence (co-authored by Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer, Joseph Jaworski, and Betty Sue Flowers).

Blue Spirit Costa Rica

Blue Spirit Costa Rica provides an extraordinary setting to all who are dedicated to spiritual transformation, personal development, and environmental sustainability. Perched on a hilltop that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and a three-mile long white sand beach that is protected as a turtle refuge – Blue Spirit offers an extraordinarily beautiful and natural setting on one of Costa Rica’s renowned beaches, supporting your retreats, workshops, and trainings to be a deeply nurturing and unforgettable experience.

ServiceSpace is an organization run entirely by volunteers. We leverage technology to encourage everyday people around the world to do small acts of service. Our aim is to ignite the fundamental generosity in ourselves and others, creating both inner and outer transformation.

ServiceSpace was conceived by volunteers, was built by volunteers, and is run by volunteers — all for the benefit of volunteers. Our projects range from a daily positive news service, to an acts-of-kindness portal, to a gift-economy restaurant. Regardless of the endeavor, we act in concert to create service opportunities for each other and to support each other’s service journeys.

Omega

Omega is a place to explore the extraordinary potential that exists in all of us as individuals and together as a human family. Omega was founded on the holistic worldview that the well-being of each of us is deeply connected to the well-being of all living things. Since 1977, we have offered diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Omega, a nonprofit organization, continues to be at the forefront of human development. We nurture dialogues on the integration of modern medicine and natural healing; design programs that connect science, spirituality, and creativity; and lay the groundwork for new traditions and lifestyles.

GNH Centre Bhutan

“Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product” His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, The Great Fourth Druk Gyalpo

Gross National Happiness, or GNH, is a holistic and sustainable approach to development, which balances material and non-material values with the conviction that humans want to search for happiness. The objective of the GNH Centre is to achieve a balanced development in all the facets of life that are essential; for our happiness.

Why does GNH matter?

We are in the age of the Anthropocene when the fate of the planet and all life is within the power of mankind. Boundless consumerism amidst widening socio-economic inequality and instability is causing rapid resource depletion and degradation. Climate change, species extinction, multiple crises, growing insecurity, instability and conflicts are not only diminishing our well-being but are also threatening our very survival.

GNH directly addresses such global, national and individual challenges by pointing to the non-material roots of well- being and offering ways to balance and satisfy the dual needs of the human being within the limits of what nature can provide on a sustainable basis.

WE-Global Institute

The world is changing and the future will only increase the importance of dynamic and sustainable economies that maximize social and environmental wellbeing. What is taking shape is a post-GDP world, underpinned by a system of governance based on wellbeing. There is a fundamental window of opportunity to turn this global shift into a coherent set of policies for wellbeing.

National governments need to develop wellbeing-based policy reforms and long-term governance processes in their domestic programmes.

Businesses have to recalibrate their purpose and approach to deliver a wider range of benefits and outcomes.

Global governance mechanisms will also need to align with wellbeing-centred development, potentially resulting in new leadership roles for countries, businesses and civil society forces that have championed wellbeing

WE-Global Institute is an invitation to a global conversation among emerging leaders of wellbeing governance with a view to building national and international alliances across borders and sectors.

Elsa CALMETTE CIRASUOLO

As Executive Program Manager at Wisdom Together, Elsa is responsible for the portfolio of projects. She is a qualified Prince2 and Management of Portfolios practitioner, holding a Masters in Strategic Project Management and degrees in Logistics, Sciences of Education and Psychology. Having lived in four different countries over the past 10 years, she is a multi-lingual professional with significant experience managing complex and multifaceted projects in science, policy and strategy development.

She worked for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), where she led flagship projects to develop national strategies for sustainable flood risk management in Scotland, and designed the organisation’s digital strategy.

Acknowledging the complexity of the challenges faced by governments and societies today, she recently completed a postgraduate University study in Global Development Challenges.

She sees Wisdom Together as pivotal to connect, develop and strengthen initiatives so as to navigate the emerging future. She believes in the truly transformative power of bringing people with sincere awareness together, using the advances of the digital age, to foster global transformation.

David BULLÓN PATTON

David is the Director for Latin America and Global Strategy. Throughout his career he has been committed to creating opportunities for others through conscious, entrepreneurial leadership.

David’s background is in innovation, development and public policy. He has been based in labs and manufacturing plants in the USA and Mexico as an academic nanotechnology researcher and private sector manager of product and process innovation. He has also been based in rural areas of India and Peru to foster entrepreneurship through better access to finance and business education. Most recently he has been based in government offices in South Sudan and Costa Rica persuading others to adopt policies that harness private initiative for the collective good.

In these roles, David has led various collaborative projects based on synergies at the intersection of business and philanthropy, research and practice, local and global players and government and civil society. He has contributed as a systems thinker – passionate about identifying and materializing opportunities for improvement, whether in manufacturing plants, rural villages, urban slums, government offices or innovation ecosystems.

For the past 2 years David has served as the Director of Innovation at the Costa Rican Ministry of Science, Technology and Telecommunications, where his team focusses on training the next generation of innovators, boosting innovation in SMEs and fostering collaboration between the scientific and entrepreneurial communities through technology based innovation projects.He is a Mechanical Engineer with a Masters in Public Administration in International Development from the Harvard Kennedy School. He is also a member of the San José Hub of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community.

Caro SCHULZ

Caro works as social media and marketing support at Wisdom Together. She works with Google Ireland as Mindfulness Teacher, Sales Account Manager and Instructional Designer. Being involved in various Emotional Intelligence and Well-being projects at Google, she has inspired people around her to become happier human beings. Also, Caro is a pioneer in Life Design (Mindful Design Thinking on “What do I want to do with my life”) and has co-created a culture of intentional mindful living at her office.

Believing in the possibility of world peace she is passionate about bringing people together to create moments of oneness. Wisdom Together is one of these endeavors!

Julian HARTMANN

As the web operations manager of Wisdom Together, Julian is responsible for the technical aspects of the website, keeping both back end and front end alive and breathing.

Julian previously acquired a Master’s degree in Japanese Studies specializing on intercultural relations and is currently working for a young IT company based in Munich, Germany. In helping Wisdom Together he sees the unique opportunity to support a greater cause and raise people’s self-awareness throughout the globe.

Nina BÜRKLIN

Nina Bürklin has devoted her life to creating tangible products and solutions that spark passion and excitement at other people. To put this into effect, she brings deep sensitivity for individuals and combines it with her profound knowledge and analytical skills. Nina sees life as a growth journey and letting the light shine in others is at the core of what she cares about. At Wisdom Together, she is responsible for the detailed conception and enactment of inspiring encounters to create meaning amongst like-minded people.

Holding degrees in business administration (LMU Munich) and fashion design (Esmod Munich) Nina has broad experience in marketing and communications for different fashion companies as well as in academic research. Moreover, substantial trainings in Social Entrepreneurship and Logotherapy & Existential Analysis let her drive the practical implementation of societal responsibility and purpose-driven leadership.

Eirik SOLUM

Manager for VisionsWorks, and Editor for Vision Magazine in Norway. He has been hosting holistic events and expos since 1998. Eirik is also MD in Social Anthropology, focusing on the Eco Village Movement.

Pamela HILEY

Pamela Hiley is the founder and Director of the Norwegian Taiji Center (NTS), which she established in 1983. Originally from Wales, with a Bachelor degree in Human Movement Studies, she was the first professional Taiji Master in Norway and is considered one of Europe’s most experienced Taijiquan Masters. Her students and clients are from all sectors, including private businesses and organizations, educational and health institutions, the government and diplomatic sectors.

Through her practice, Pamela has cooperated with many Norwegian and global organizations with Deep Dialogue, building bridges from the spiritual to daily life. Seated in deep transformative processes changing what was into what is with a large and integrative network.

She has also created many ground breaking projects. In 2001, she founded the “Peace Point Foundation” and participated in the Global Peace Initiative of Woman Religious and Spiritual Leaders UN conference in Geneva. In 2003, she created “The Peace Conference for the Middle East” at the Nobel Peace Institute in Oslo. And In 2004, she was welcomed back to the Nobel Institute to establish “The Business Council for Peace”. Seeing the need to reinforce the importance of developing awareness among the youth, in 2006, Pamela instituted “The Youth Council for Peace” and “MAP” (Martial Arts for Peace).

Pamela has received recognition, both nationally and internationally for her contributions. She was given the title of “Ambassador for Peace” from the Universal Peace Federation and in 2006 elected to “The Top 10 International Men and Women” of Norway.

Lefteris SAVVA

Lefteris is currently driving marketing activities for Wisdom Together. He has a background in Management and Marketing, and started his professional career at L’Oreal UK, where he worked in the Retail and Category Development team. After a year in London he moved to Dublin to work for Google as a digital consultant; first for small and medium size businesses based in Greece, Cyprus and Malta and then for large Food and Bev companies active in the MENA region.

On a personal level Lefteris is interested in emotional intelligence, mindfulness in education and as a part of everyday life, and personal growth. He is excited to be part of the Wisdom Together project, as he truly believes that the expansion of awareness through mindful living can significantly improve ones life.

Michalis SOLOMONTOS

Michalis is currently driving the Social media activities for Wisdom Together. He works as an Account Strategist at Google.

Excited by the vast potential and unique possibility of each human being, Michalis spends much of his time exploring tools and practices for touching deeper dimensions of life that lead to fulfilling one’s true purpose.

At Google, he’s been involved in many initiatives varying from wellbeing to emotional intelligence and contributed through various roles to an inclusive and compassionate culture in the workplace.

In the backdrop of great disturbance and uncertainty around the world, he sees Wisdom Together as the ultimate portal to inspire and empower people, a contemporary platform to bridge knowledge and experience and elevate human consciousness to its peak.

Tarik MEHIĆ

Krisztina ANDRÉ

As communication consultant and designer, Krisztina is responsible for the corporate identity and the design of everything Wisdom Together.

She is making sure you enjoy this website, thanks to her 30 years of experience and master degree in visual communication.

We design Conferences and Talks, bringing together conscious leaders, scientists, artists… – people from very different paths of life. These gatherings work as many opportunities to experience how conscious leaders connect to their source of wisdom, and how they transform challenges into truly incredible stories and how these insights can connect with your own experience.

We also run Wisdom Talks as local events around the world to bring local communities together and initiate transformation.